In This Together

A group of young people based in Durham want more social spaces made available in the UK to encourage better peer support for people with mental health issues.

‘Peer support’ is help and support given from people with lived experience of a mental illness or a disability to other young people.

Bethany Barnett, 19, who has struggled with her own mental health, attends a young adult support café at The Waddington Street Centre in Durham every Tuesday.

‘I think being around other young people who are struggling with their mental health like me really inspires me to make a difference.

‘The cafe initially started as a 10 week art project for 16-21year olds and it was around mental health support,’ explained Bethany, from Durham. ‘We realised we didn’t just want this to be a 10 week art programme, we wanted it to be a calm, open space.

‘It’s developed into an open space where you can do whatever art you want, you can sit down with a cuppa and open up to people you trust.

‘It’s my little escape; it’s a night off where I don’t have to think about the pressures of school. I can just go to the group and be a teenager again, be myself again.’